Editorial: Lighten Prohibition-era taxes on craft liquor

Craft liquor distilleries are becoming an increasingly important part of Michigan’s economy, inviting tourism and helping spur development in places it otherwise might not occur.

But local craft liquor businesses face an absurdly high federal tax on liquor, along with myriad state taxes and regulations, which discourage investments in startups, limit their growth and make it difficult to profitably operate.

State lawmakers should reform the Michigan Liquor Control Commission and its tax regime, replacing it with a simple and substantially lower rate. Michigan lawmakers in Congress should also press to lower the federal tax to stimulate the nascent industry in Michigan, and to offer an economic boost statewide. Read More